Rural health funding is about to have a moment
If your grants touch healthcare or public health, you might have seen a downturn in grant funding in the recent year.
But one area is about to shine: rural health.
In 2025, the US Federal government created the Rural Health Transformation Program, an initiative focused on rural health that would be administered by the states. This program will fund $50 billion (!!!) over five years to transform rural healthcare.
For example, here are the state RHTP allocations around me:
If your state isn't listed, just Google "your state - RHTP" for more details about your state's application, funding amount, and targeted improvement areas.
Who will benefit?
The obvious answer is your state's rural residents, who will have better access to higher quality healthcare.
But a wide range of organizations should also pay special attention to upcoming funding announcements. These stakeholders include: rural healthcare providers, workforce and training partners, universities, community colleges, K-12 school districts, health focused nonprofits, healthcare technology providers, researchers, health centers, and local coalitions.
What will be funded?
Each state's RHTP will be tailored to state needs and priorities, but we will see a few trends across states. These include nutrition awareness and education; telehealth and other technology-enabled improvements; recruitment and training of the healthcare workforce in rural areas; partnerships within networks and across sectors; and capital investments in rural healthcare facilities and equipment.
When will grants open?
This large funding program is likely to be administered in phases by each state. Most states are in planning stages now - staffing up their offices, drafting grant applications, and planning statewide outreach strategies. Expect first grant announcements around Spring/Summer of 2026.
What should you do?
Connect with the agency leading your state's RHTP - you can find it on this RHTP award list provided by TAGGS. Read through your state's RHTP website, subscribe to their emails, participate in their webinars, follow on social media, and even reach out to individuals within the agency to learn more about the RHTP.
Begin connecting with potential partners. Even before funding announcements are released, you can begin forming ideas about the types of grant projects that would help your organization and partners transform rural health in your own community.
Stay tuned! I know I am.